to Horseshoe Bay Beach yesterday for Good Friday celebrations.

Kite fliers, sun worshippers, sports enthusiasts, swimmers and spectators flocked to the Southampton beach for functions organised by United Bermuda Party youth wing, Leaders of Tomorrow.

"It's exciting,'' said Miss Seye Idowu from London, England. "It's my first time to Bermuda and I find this quite unique. There aren't too many countries where one can find people out on the beach with locals and tourists mixing together and having a good time. The kites give an aura of carnival to the place.'' Mr. Paul Gathercole, travelling separately from London, England agreed: "It's absolutely marvellous,'' he said. "The weather is fantastic. We don't fly kites in England on any one particular day and because of that I've never seen so many kites in the sky at once. I've never seen homemade kites. Lying here on the sand seeing the blue sky filled with so many colours fills me with niceness and deep, deep meditation.'' For Miss Anwen Smith, a Bermudian, the experience was also a new one.

"I've never actually been here before on Good Friday and had never flown a kite in my life until today,'' she said. "I only realised this year what a big deal Good Friday is. The activities are quite good fun despite the lack of a strong wind this morning and scarce sunlight.'' Approximately 1,500 persons came out for the traditional kite flying activities organised by the group.

Claps and cheers from the crowd were heard as titles such as `Most Original', `Largest' and `Smallest' kites were awarded after Dr. James King judged the 15 entrants.

The day began at 11 a.m. with an interdenominational service conducted by former UBP Senator, Ms Cindy Trimm. Children's games and the kite contest followed. Tug-of-War competitions and games ended the day's events but not before a giant kite was launched by the organisers.

"The day went well,'' said Mr. Tim Smith, group member and committee chairperson for kite day. "We've been involved in it for many years and we always have crowds. It's not a political event, just a day for everyone to have a good time.

"It started years ago with Belco (Bermuda Electric Light Company) concentrating on keeping people from flying kites in densely populated areas.

Good Friday is a big day for Bermudians and so the Under 40 Caucus arranged a few events and then we took over. The Department of Tourism launches it as a tourist event and so a number of visitors turn out as well.

"This year, the number of entrants (in the kite competition) are better than in the last few years. All winners received a shield with the category in which they won inscribed on it.'' Kite flier Miss Carolyn Burr said she arrived first thing in the morning to stake out the "perfect kite-flying spot''.

"I got here at 9 a.m. as I didn't want to have trouble parking and wanted to find my own kite spot,'' she said. "The wind's just perfect for the occasion.

I had to buy a kite rather than make it as I have a busy musician's schedule and couldn't find the time to make my own.'' A team of 10 from Bermuda Computer Services got their fish kite up in just one go.

"Ten of us in the office got together one lunch hour to make the kite,'' said Mrs. Lucy Atride-Sterling. "It's approximately five feet by four feet.'' Group instructor Mr. Pete Ramsdale said he just "followed the step by step instructions laid out in Frank Watlington's book, Bermuda Kites . The plans were very straightforward.'' Mr. James Robinson and Mr. Russell DeMoura, both in their early twenties, said the day brought back fond memories of childhood.

"I left my kite at home but it's great coming here to relax on a beautiful afternoon, drinking a few cold beers and enjoying a traditional Bermuda holiday,'' said Mr. Robinson. "It brings back memories of my childhood and is an important part of Bermuda's culture.'' Agreed Mr. DeMoura: "What really interests me is the atmosphere. We're trying to get in touch with old Bermudian culture. We're losing it and this is a way young people can uphold those traditions.'' KITES KIT